Correlation between attitude toward violence and peer victimization

Abstract

     Documentation on peer victimization is well established in Western countries. Research indicates that peer victimization contributes to poor school performance, low self-esteem, and delinquent activities. However, studies related to this topic in Thailand are limited. This study examined the prevalence of peer victimization among Thai students by looking at verbal, property, and physical victimization. In total, 1,887 participants from secondary schools in Nakhon Pathom province, Thailand were sampled. The findings presented natural or negative attitudes toward violence. However, students were victimized by their peers at an alarming rate. Approximately half of the participants reported some kind of victimization in the past year. The study also showed that attitudes toward violence were significantly correlated with all types of peer victimization but physical victimization presented the highest correlation.